“We know this is a big challenge,” said coach Bill O’Brien. “That’s why these guys came to Boston College, to play in games like this.”
Here are five keys as the Eagles, who are 14-point underdogs, try to pull off an upset.
Withstand the storm
BC will have to withstand the storm, literally and figuratively, to give itself a chance.
Literally, BC has to adapt to the elements and be prepared for any possible permutation of wind, rain, and more.
“Part of football is embracing whatever the weather is,” said running back Bo MacCormack. “Whatever it is, we’re just excited to play.”
O’Brien said the Eagles love to compete in these types of games.
“I think I’ve coached in everything, right?” he said. “Snow, rain, nor’easters, blizzards, pouring rain, ice storms, coached in one of those, lightning delays, hot, 100 degrees. We’ll have a plan.”
Figuratively, the Eagles have to slow down a team that has scored 106 of its 152 points in the first half. If the game becomes messy and stays low-scoring, BC may have a chance. If not, it could be a long afternoon.
Holding their ground
Virginia Tech enters with by far the most sacks in the ACC (14), with Aycen Stevens, Kaleb Spencer, Cortez Harris, and Mylachi Williams all with three or more.
“I would say, just watching them, that they have several guys on defense that will play in the NFL,” O’Brien said. “It’s a big challenge for us. We’ve had a good week of practice. We’ve just got to go out there and give it everything we’ve got.”
BC’s offensive line has been up and down this season. Piecing together its best performance to date would go a long way.
Ride the wave
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles have improved significantly in generating sacks and interceptions.
BC leads the ACC with six picks, matching last year’s total. The Eagles are tied for third with eight sacks after finishing last a season ago (17).
“It’s something that we’ve always believed in, no matter who we’re playing,” said linebacker Anthony Palano. “We know what we can do. We know what we’re capable of.”
Palano is third in the nation with 34 tackles and is the only player with at least 30 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack. Safety KP Price also has two interceptions, and defensive end Demetrius Ballard leads the team with two sacks.
While the competition certainly stiffens, the essence of the task remains the same: Make life difficult for Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (78.2 completion percentage, 7 TDs, 0 INTs).
Local look
Another Virginia Tech player to keep an eye on is Westford native Luke Reynolds, a 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound tight end who has 265 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Reynolds, who played at Lawrence Academy, Cheshire Academy, and Penn State before joining the Hokies, is getting buzz as a potential NFL draft pick.
“He quite obviously is great in the passing game, but the reason why he’s going to be a great NFL player is because he blocks,” O’Brien said. “He’s a massive challenge for us, no doubt.”
Close, but no cigar
The Eagles came up short on two fourth and 1s in the red zone against the Black Bears.
O’Brien and Co. are well aware that is far from ideal and have spent extra time this week in practice ensuring they are ready if a similar situation arises.
“We worked very hard to get those things corrected, but two fourth and 1s, we’re Boston College,” O’Brien said. “We have to be better than that.”
Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.
